Roof glass:solar control glass should be standard unless in the shadow of a North facing house (0.9-1.0 u value, keeps out up to 78% of unwanted heat)

Frame glass: clear solar control glass with 1.0 u value, should be used on South facing conservatories.

Roof Ventilation: warm air rises – it’s essential to fit roof vents minimum one up to 12 sq.m., two over. These can be manual, electric or automatic.

Planning: Depending upon the position and size, amongst other factors, such as being Listed or in a conservation area or area of outstanding natural beauty, etc. will determine whether you need to allow for Planning Costs.

Once you have decided upon the design and specifications for you conservatory, the following are the building work considerations whether the material be PVC, Aluminium, Pine, Sapele, Idigbo or seasoned Oak.

Building Work:

Access: Is there good access to the site, or does it have to go through the house, up or down steps, or on a first or higher floor?

Demolition: Is there an existing building, conservatory or are there other obstructions to consider, such as boiler flues.

Drainage: Are there any shared drains crossing within 3m of conservatory, or manholes in line with footings.

Type of base: strip footings 1m deep standard, but additional cost of deeper footings, raft or piling may be required, if poor soil conditions or trees within 7m

Walls: insulated dwarf cavity walls are standard, but sometime full height frames are required and sometime full height or parapet walls.

Knock throughs: Are you opening up to the house and does this involve new steel lintels, structural calculations and heat loss submissions for building regulations.

Flooring: do you intend to have tiles, laminated timber, Amtico style vinyl, or carpet.

Underfloor heating: Do you require electric or wet underfloor heating system? If not radiators and how many?

Electrics: How many sockets, lights, switches, TV points, etc. do you require? How near is your consumer unit?

Plumbing: Are there any radiators to remove, move, or new ones required? External Tap?

Landscaping: Do you require any additional patio work, new steps, etc.?

You will have recognised, that whilst the cost difference between the conservatory main structure remains the major variable, there will be many factors which may be constant, such as size, design, glass specification, and all the building costs, which together significantly reduce the percentage cost difference between the least costly and the biggest investment you consider making.

Investing in a conservatory or orangery has very similar design and cost factors to take into consideration as when replacing your kitchen. From the designer’s point of view, it is essential to have some idea of your budget.

For example, to offer a plastic laminate kitchen with Whirlpool appliances for £3,500 may prove to be exactly what the kitchen customer wants, however, it could be perceived as an insult to the aspirations of a customer whose budget is £25,000 and wants solid oak doors, granite work surfaces and Neff appliances. Conversely, to raise the aspirations of the customer with the £3,500 budget to that of Oak and Neff, is grossly unfair and could lead to embarrassment.

In the same way, it is important for the conservatory designer to have some idea of your budget before he starts suggesting ideas, size, materials and specifications, so as he/she can best advice you, to meet your requirements and budget.

Contact Richmond Oak for advice from experienced designers, where we can provide you with a choice of material, to meet almost any sensible budget.